Nontubercular Mycobacteria Associated Uveitis in HIV Positive Patients.

PURPOSE: To report clinical features and outcomes of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) presenting as uveitis in HIV positive patients.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Retrospective study of HIV positive patients who were diagnosed as uveitis due to NTM.

RESULTS

Six eyes of four HIV positive patients with NTM were studied. Average age at presentation was 35.5 years (range 30-38). With specific PCR primers, Mycobacterium avium was detected in three patients (75%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum in one patient (25%). Culture was positive in two cases. Two eyes (33.33%) each had endophthalmitis and necrotizing retinitis like picture, one eye (16.66%) each had chorioretinitis and frosted branch angitis like. Visual acuity improved in two eyes (33.33%), worsened in three eyes (50%), and remained unchanged in one eye (16.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

NTM infection is a unique entity in immunosuppressed with poor visual outcome. PCR forms a useful tool for rapid diagnosis and timely initiation of specific anti-tuberculosis therapy.